Need Minor League Help

[rhd]

Yes, only the players that made their debut in 2013 are eligible to be drafted. The good news is the team I am taking over is so bad that I will have the 1st pick in next year's draft among the players who make their debut in 2014.

Seems strange that you dont get the 1st pick until next year instead of this year. Has your 2013 Stratomatic season been played yet or dont you play it until next year?

[Trader Mac]

Seems strange that you dont get the 1st pick until next year instead of this year. Has your 2013 Stratomatic season been played yet or dont you play it until next year?

With Strat you are always playing the previous year. So next year (2014) we will be playing using 2013 stats. Since my team finished last this year, the next year I will have the 1st pick. Hope that makes sense.

[chancellor]

Profar - Keep
Vitters - Cuttable
Lavarnway - Cuttable
Olt - Keep. I'm not a strong believer, but he'll get a shot.
Pacheco - I'm not as high on him as others. I'd consider him cuttable.
Eaton - I like him more than others do and I'd keep him.
Calhoun - Cuttable.
F Martinez - Cuttable
Axelrod - Cuttable though he has a job.
de Vries - Cuttable
R Delgado - I'd have to get someone really good to cut him.
Lyles - Cuttable though he has a job, though I'd cut Axelrod before Lyles.
W Peralta - Keep. Pile of natural talent. Baseball IQ has improved from low-grade to below average.
Straily - Keep
Thornburg - Cuttable. Did better on return, but smoke and mirrors, IMO.
Cingrani - Keep. I'd keep him with Dusty Baker as his coach, but with Baker gone, he's a must keep.

rhd and JC gave excellent lists. I like D'Arnaud better than Gyorko or Arenado, but that's quibbling.

[rhd]

With Strat you are always playing the previous year. So next year (2014) we will be playing using 2013 stats. Since my team finished last this year, the next year I will have the 1st pick. Hope that makes sense.

So how does it work? Do you just get exactly the same stats that the player put up exactly a year earlier? E.g., on 8/17/13 Profar went 2-4, 2R 2 RBI, SB. So on 8/17/14, these stats get added to your team totals? And do you have a regular draft or are all the available desirable players taken and you just make trades or put in waiver claims in order to improve your team?

[Trader Mac]

So how does it work? Do you just get exactly the same stats that the player put up exactly a year earlier? E.g., on 8/17/13 Profar went 2-4, 2R 2 RBI, SB. So on 8/17/14, these stats get added to your team totals? And do you have a regular draft or are all the available desirable players taken and you just make trades or put in waiver claims in order to improve your team?

Strat is a card and dice game. The cards are based on the previous year's stats which supposedly will result in stats close to what they performed the previous year. Of course, things change such as how managers use them, ball park factors, etc where the result will not match exactly the previous year's stats. I don't think I'm making any sense, but maybe it will help some. It actually is a real fun way to play a baseball game that is a lot different than roto.

I used to play Pursue the Pennant in college which is very similar.

[Kevin Seitzer]

There is a good, MLB-ready pitching prospect on your September callup list that I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet.

[rhd]

There is a good, MLB-ready pitching prospect on your September callup list that I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet.

Yeah, 2-3 of them. Ventura is probably who you were referring to, but also Erik Johnson and maybe Jimmy Nelson too, who did very well in 2 MLB starts.

[Trader Mac]

Yeah, 2-3 of them. Ventura is probably who you were referring to, but also Erik Johnson and maybe Jimmy Nelson too, who did very well in 2 MLB starts.

Is that whom you are referring to KS?

[Trader Mac]

No, Lavarnway and Vitters dont really project as MLB starters at this point.

rhd--I'm curious as to how you see their careers turning out. Do you see them as platoon players? Bench players? I looked over their minor league stats and they didn't look great, but decent.

[Trader Mac]

So, I'm looking at my list and who I think would be the best to pick with the 13th overall pick. I believe Puig, Fernandez, Myers, D'Arnuad, Rendon, Cole, Gyroko, Arenado, Wacha, and Ryu definitely won't reach me. That leaves Wheeler, Yelich, Bogaerts and T Walker as possibilities. How would you rank those four? Or is there someone from the master list that I am missing who I should consider at #13? I am not really considering Hamilton though I hope someone will take him early bases on reputation alone as that will give me another player to consider. Thanks for all your guys help. I really do appreciate it seeing I've been out of the loop with minor leaguers for the past couple years.

[mjl]

Bogaerts probably ought to be an option. Maybe Gattis although I don't know what Strat thinks of his fielding or how hard it is to get a decent catcher. But this is some of my anti-pitching prospect bias coming through.

Also note that Cingrani was significantly better than Wheeler in FIP/xFIP in the same number of innings this season.

[Trader Mac]

Bogaerts probably ought to be an option. Maybe Gattis although I don't know what Strat thinks of his fielding or how hard it is to get a decent catcher. But this is some of my anti-pitching prospect bias coming through.

Also note that Cingrani was significantly better than Wheeler in FIP/xFIP in the same number of innings this season.

In this league, people always overpay for pitching so sometimes its good to get a young, much cheaper player than having to break the bank for a starter. I don't in Strat Gattis would be that valuable as OBP is very important. Bogearts is an interesting possibility. Do we know where Profar where play in 2014? Will he be at 2nd or back to SS? That would also have a bearing on my decision if they both play the same position.

[rhd]

rhd--I'm curious as to how you see their careers turning out. Do you see them as platoon players? Bench players? I looked over their minor league stats and they didn't look great, but decent.

Lavarnway will be a backup catcher. I still hold out some hope for Vitters, but he doesnt figure to be the everyday 3Bman for the Cubs. His plate discipline has been one of the main concerns w him but it's gotten a lot better over the past 2 years. But last year was a lost season for him. The Cubs needs someone other than Valbuena and Ransom to man 3B, but the first guy to get a shot probably is Olt at this point. Long-term, it will be Bryant or maybe Baez if he cant stick at short. Vitters has actually hit fairly well in the minors, but hasnt had the standout season that you expect from a former #3 overall selection. He might benefit by going to another org.

[rhd]

So, I'm looking at my list and who I think would be the best to pick with the 13th overall pick. I believe Puig, Fernandez, Myers, D'Arnuad, Rendon, Cole, Gyroko, Arenado, Wacha, and Ryu definitely won't reach me. That leaves Wheeler, Yelich, Bogaerts and T Walker as possibilities. How would you rank those three?

I would lean towards Yelich among those four. If you like Bogaerts tho, I dont think you'll have to worry about Profar playing the same position. as he will play 2B w Andrus at SS. Bogaerts might end up playing a lot of 3B also. What are the requirements for position eligibility?

[Trader Mac]

I would lean towards Yelich among those four. If you like Bogaerts tho, I dont think you'll have to worry about Profar playing the same position. as he will play 2B w Andrus at SS. Bogaerts might end up playing a lot of 3B also. What are the requirements for position eligibility?

Whatever positions they played in 2013 is what they can play in Strat. Granted if a player only plays a couple games at a position, his fielding won't be very good in the game.